Prague

Well...my mom and I have safely arrived in the Czech Republic. We landed in Prague on Thursday, although it was still Wednesday to us. The plane ride was unexpectantly easy but long. Our driver that picked us up from the hotel forgot to take driving lessons as he seemed to own the road on the way to the hotel. We made it in one piece and checked into Hotel Anna. It is in a beautiful part of Prague...just outside the main tourist area so we are not overwhelmed with people.
Starting day one, we have set out on foot exploring this historic setting. Of course day one, everything looked beyond understanding and no one spoke English. Day two, we both started feeling more comfortable and my basic (and I mean BASIC) understanding of the Czech language has come out to be of some service. The food is AMAZING and very cheap. The beer is spectacular, as expected.
Prague is definitely a city of busy people, going their own way, and trying to get there in a hurry. Not many people speak English until you get to the tourist area of Wenselas Square where there are so many people from all over the world, that broken English seems to be the preferred language.
We got lost on our way back to the hotel and spent most of our time trying to get out of the underground metro system...let me just say THANK GOD for pictures. We couldn't speak the language but pictures seem to be universal. We found our way out and back to our hotel.
I am so appreciative of this experience that I am definitely not going to focus on any negatives but I do have to comment that it was a little weird to see dogs (and we saw MULTIPLE dogs) just peeing on a building or literally pooping on the street corner while their owner stood there, watched, and then walked the dog away without cleaning up the mess. You have to watch where you are walking on the city streets cause you just might step in doggy do do.
Ending on a positve...we have made a new friend in Milano, the owner of the bar/restaraunt next door to our hotel. He has adopted us and made us feel very welcome in his establishment and if you are ever in Prague you have to go to his establishment, U Strecu, and he just might bring out his Gibson guitar and gather the folks into a round of singing and good times.

Czech Group-Washington DC

August 2, 2010 all Fulbright Participants (60 US teachers and 60 international teachers) met for the first time in Washington DC. We were in meetings everyday and had a chance to get to know each other on a social level before we all embarked on our individual adventures. It was amazing to realize how similar education really is all over the world. We all do similar activities but just may call them different names.

Everyone was sooooo nice and amazing and I left the week in DC with MANY new friends and contacts all over the world. I made many life long friends that I am excited to meet up with in the future. Of course the Czech group was the BEST group. All 6 of us (Calan, Brock, Emily-USA and Katerina, Sona, and Jari-Czech) just got along so wonderfully and really hit it off. It was meant to be and all 6 of us definitely built a lifelong friendship!!!

I excited to leave tomorrow, August 11, 2010 to begin my official Czech adventure. I have had a SUPERB 5 days showing Katerina and her amazing family around Lake Stevens and helping them settle in. So many of my friends, colleagues, and family came out to meet her and her family and I know they will take good care of her. I look forward to hearing from everyone on how Katerina has settled right in!!!

Well...the next time I update the blog I will be an official Czech citizen (well...unofficially) but least living in my new home (for a year)....TILL THEN

July 4, 2010

In about 1 month my mom and I will be on our way to Prague, Czech Republic!! Katerina has amazingly helped set up our hotel in Prague so that is exciting. We will be staying at Hotel Anna. You can look it up online...there is a cool garden area to eat breakfast and of course the setting is spectacular.

My list of about 50 things to do before I leave is down to about 20. Of course I have post it notes all over my house of the things I still need to do but I have plenty of time to get it done. I actually haven't started packing yet, which is rare for me. I am laying things out but no actual packing. :)

I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July, 2010.

Gina Anderson

Gina and her husband Jason Anderson welcomed my mom, step dad, and me with welcome arms to their house for a slovic meal. I had never met Gina and her family before but when I contacted her through a mutual friend she invited me and my family with no hesitation. Gina and her husband were in the Peace Corp for two years in Slovakia (spelling?).

They made a WONDERFUL dinner. If that was any indication of the type of foods I will be surrounded by, I am excited!

It was so helpful to hear their stories of their time there. They for sure put my mom's mind to rest on the potential crimes there (only mostly pickpocketing). I learned helpful tips such as to bring an odd number of flowers to a dinner party (even numbers are reserved for weddings and funerals). I also learned that soup is pretty much a meal standard. Apparently Gina ordered a soup there and when she took a bite (Oxtail soup), a literal spine rolled up. My first image went to the Indiana Jones movie when they were having Monkey Brains for dinner....definitely going to stay away from Oxtail soup. To funny.

Also going to stay away from the vodka shot that has a layer of bacon grease on the top...yumm....not.

There were many more tips that the Anderson's provided that is going to be useful information for when I am over there. Hopefully it will save me a little bit of cultural embarrassment from my lack of knowledge :)

Til next time.

6-7-10

(picture of the future view from my Czech classroom)


Sorry haven't written or updated for awhile...things have been super crazy. Had a workshop in San Francisco a couple weekends ago. It was very informational but overwhelming at the same time. We met with other Fulbright teachers going overseas as well as alumni. I met a girl named Calan who is from Aspen,CO. She is going to the Czech Republic. It was exciting to meet someone going to the same country as me.





We are definitely going to meet up with each other and do some traveling and I am very excited about that.





I spoke with Nikki who is from Bellingham and she did the Fulbright Teacher Exchange to Czech Republic. It was great to hear about her experiences and the pros and cons. The more and more I heard from everyone, the more I realized how lucky I am to be exchanging with Katerina.





Katerina and I have been communicating and getting to know each other since March and the more we talk, the more it seems like we are identical twins. She seems so wonderful and we seem to be on the same page with each other. We both realize that we are taking a leap of faith and for this process/experience to work, we have to trust each other. We can't be worrying about what is going on in our homes while we are away. We have to trust the other person is taking care of our belongings. I feel very confident in trusting Katerina. I know my house and belongings are in good hands.





I am waiting for my VISA application to go through. I applied a month ago and I hear it can take a couple months. I am leaving for the Czech Republic on Aug 12th so I hope I get it before I need to leave or I have to reschedule my departure date.





Well there are still many things on the "To Do List" so I have less than 66 days to check them off. One at a time, I guess... Everyone that knows me, knows that they will get done and probably all in one weekend ;)

More pictures 4/11/10

These are some pictures of her (Katerina) classroom where I will be teaching. I also posted pictures of her apartment. There is a picture of the living room and kitchen. The picture of the water, is the view from her classroom. The picture with the boy in the blue jacket, is town center. I will definitely post more pictures when I get them.

There is a picture of the school I will be teaching at. The other picture is a view of the town of Tabor. The school is in the middle next to the lake.